Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-08-27
The LIFE OF A SCOUT.

But little time for refreshment and rest
is given 10 scouts, especially on the eve of
a great battle, or even while IN the vicinity
OF an enemy we'll known TO be largely su-
perior in numbers and equipments.
COuriers ride hastily, night and day
from the commanding generals to the
quarters o. generals Of corps and divisions.
Various changes Of position were made
by the infantry, under orders from Cen
eral Bragg; so that an officer of division
when asked for his opinion as to our
chances for success in the impending bat
tie, replied.
@Unless Generals Morgan and Forrest
can arrive in time" the former was in Ken
lucky and the latter in West Tennessee) TO
strike General Rosecrans' rear. we are
Whippedi-fOr our men are already ex-
hausted with marching and cOuntermarch-
ing, and in bad form for meeting the
superior force which General Rosecrans
has at hand"
The results Of the battle OF Murfrees-
boro, or Stone River, are matters Of his
tory; and our failure to pursue the ad-
vantag won, and the slaughter Of the
kentuckinns, under the gallant Breckin-
ridge, on the memorable Friday evening
Black Friday-are charged TO the debit
side of the proper account.
Therefore scouts" had but little to an
swer for on this occasion, as they could
only criticise movements, and wish that
thew had a commander who was not 50
ready TO run the wrong way
it was not the intention to hold position
to the north of MurfreesbOrO I'LL General
ROsecrans retired within the sheltering
works around Nashville, but to obey orders
no matter how counter TO their Judgment
or wishes a retrograds movement might be-
So We submitted to the inevitable, and
joined General Bragg in another mastery
retreat"
Heartsick and footsore, our troops fell
back to Shelbyyille, after having punished
General ROsecrans. too severely to permit
of his pressing us while IN retreat,
Here they found kind. sympathizing
friends, and hands ready to minister to
their hurts, as Well as TO sOOthe their NOR
tication at being ordered to throw away
the fruits of a victory so nearly and so
dearly won.
After reaching ShelbyviIle our scouts
passed several DAYS having clothing washed
and repaired, having horses shOd, and in
making general preparations for the road,
as We we'll knew that Major Walker would
soon have us IN the saddle, for he was a
man of wonderfully earnest energy.
On the evening Of the second day after
We reached Shelbyville the Major COM
municated his designs, and directed that
the whole troop be in readiness for an early
move.
But next morning We learned, with deep
regret, that Major Walker would be trans
feIred TO another department Officers
and men were much attached to him for
his uniform kindness and urbanity, and We
had the highest estimate of his courage
and soldierly qualities.
Several Of the men preferred to go with
him, but others had ties in old Kentucky
which held them away from the sea-coast.
Before our complete reorganization we
had ample opportunities for becoming ae-
quainted with many Of the citizens IN and
around Shelbyyille, and We learned unmis-
takably that there were not a few Of these
good people whose ideas political did not
accord with our own.
But the time for us to move had arrived
and, after taking leave of the Major and
receiving from him an earnest God bless
you, boys, We dashed out OF town by the
road leading to Columbia
About this time General Joseph Wheeler
was promoted to rank as General Of Divis-
ion. and such officers as Forrest and Nor
gan were held subordinate to himl
Through this means we were near losing
the services Of General Forrest. who ten.
dered his resignation The War Depart
ment would not accept his resignation, bu
created a new department, and he took hi
brigade to their new field Of operations.
General Van Dorm, after capturing tn
Federal stores at Grand junction, Hum
bOldt, etc, now arrived and took com
mand of all our cavalry, with headquarter
at Spring Hiu, about twelve miles from
Franklin, Tenn
Our scouts we're soon under his order
and proceeded TO work toward Nashville
from the waters of South Harpeth-
The position thus occupied was som
eighteen miles IN advance Of cavalry ont
posts; but We were subject TO little inter
ference, as the Federal cavalry then cam
no further west than Big Harpeth, seven
teen miles from Nashville.
We soon became familiar with the coun
try, and learned the by-paths so thorough
that half dozen regiments could not hav
hemmed us IN, nor could they have g
closely guarded the fords and Big Harpet
as 10 have prevented close cOuesi Ondenc
with our friends in the City of Rocks"
Within TWO weeks after entering upo
this new field We had established min
regular, reliable channels thrOugh whic
information was receiyed-tO say nOthin
of many other means for obtaining grape
vine" intelligence, which We appeared {
drink in greedily, but to which, IN reality
but little heed was given.
One of the most serious obstacles wit
which We were forced to contend was tn
early appearance Of detachments While
were led by officers who were anxious
communicate more directly with friends
Nashville. These officers would Obtui
authority from superiors to make
scout" and, while many Of them were il
discreet, others cared but little for IL
extra amount of trouble. labor and hazaI
imposed upon those who were located
that section for regular scout duty.
The result Of inroads made by thei
numerous scouting parties" was to a
tract tie enemy's attention toward u
west, and lead them TO guard, not only Il
turnpike roads leading out Of Nashvill
and crossing Big Harpeth to the west, bl
10 watch closely the dirt roads which "a
parallel 20 those turnpikes and crosse
the river at intermediate points.
SO that, IN order 70 reach the north ban
Of Big Harpeth, We were compelled
cross it at night by swimming, or by meal
of ford which was hidden by dense u
derbrushs which not uDfrsquentiy vi
found lining the river banks, or by OF
which would lead to the rear of a field Of cor
AT this early day, however, our SUPERB
knowledge Of the topography of that regiC
gave Us great advantage, despite Il
|atchtulness and superior numbers Of Il
Bnemy.
We could always manage 10 get across
the north bank OF the river; but here o.
real great danger began; for We were u
only liable to encounter q force of the 81
envy but quite apt to run athwart one
those self-constitutsd scouts who ev
ready and alert, were likely 10 act upc
uncertainties and greet any force not east
recognizable with a volley from shotgun
loaded with buckshot, TO be followed d
9TH a fusillade from ix-shooters.
Mistakes were OF frequent Occurrence
and while they developed many curio1
characteristics in the different individual
and resulted in many a hearty laugh an
nuSn qulzzlng afterWard. were at the tin
OF the most serious nature, as thew wel
attended by great personal peril.
Early In February. 1868, a .scouts VA
ordered 70 repair to the vicinity of NASH
Fllles Ienn.s 70 strike q point on Hillsbor
turnpike" Ten Well-mounted men wer